I graduated from W.H. Taft High School at the Paradise in 1963. My graduation was at the Paradise also.

Stan Sherr

04-Jan-2014 18:09

In more recent years after a long time closed, the Paradise was renovated. It has hels boxing matches, Latin concerts and church revivals. I also graduated from Creston JHS there in 1961. It was so plush inside, thick red carpeting, velvet like drapes. A sweeping staircase to the balcony with its perhaps neo-classical sculptures and its faux sky with clouds and twinkling light stars. There was a small goldfish pond near the concession stand the frankfurters were cooked on spits in a glass box that was heated electrically. It was a treat on a blazing hot Summer day to go up to the Paradise or just if you were walking by and be greeted with that freezing cold air conditioning.

Guest

25-Oct-2013 00:54

I remember how beautiful this theatre was both inside and out. Both my brother and I had graduations here. We grew up on 165th and Gerard Ave. Miss those days. Thanks for the memories.

Guest

20-Jun-2013 14:24

Graduated from Christopher Columbus HS there in June of 1972 and had my first date with the woman I married in 1976 (and still am married to) there in June of 1974). I also enjoyed many fine movies at the Kent, Luxor and RKO Fordham between 1967 and 1976 before moving to Queens.

LILA SABLE YORRA

05-Jun-2013 17:48

LOVE THESE PHOTOS...THE PARADISE WAS A REALLY GREAT DATE...HE MUST HAVE REALLY LIKED YOU...AND UPTOWN ITS ALEXANDERS AND FORDHAM ROAD... LIVED BY THE YANKEE STADIUM...LOVED THOSE YANKEES AND WENT TO TAFT...REALLY GREAT MEMORIES...THANKS

maxien

08-Apr-2013 12:59

This building was recently sold and is now a church ! I live nearby.(4/13)

Dori

15-Mar-2013 03:38

I love the great photography!Wouldn't it be magical to relive just a few of those memories. I lived on Jesup Ave.just a couple of blocks from Featherbed Lane and Nelson Ave. Went to P.S. 104(Mrs Glick,Hoffman & Spinner)& remember shopping with my parents on 170th street between Jerome Ave and the Grand Concourse,eating at Sen Ho's Chinese Restaurant and taking walks with my father to a deli on El Grant Highway and up Shakespeare to search for caterpillars on the tree lined street. Walters grocery store on the hill of Jesup Ave & Phil & Harry's Soda & candy shop on the corner of Jesup Ave. & El Grant. Graduated from JHS 82 at the Paradise Theater in 1969.Fun,carefree times & warm memories.Thanks for leading the trip down memory lane

BILL BUCKLEY

11-Mar-2013 21:12

HAVEN'T BEEN TO THE PARADISE SINCE I LEFT DA BRONX IN 1959, REMEMBER THE HUGE GOLD FISH??? I LIVED ON TIEBOUT AVE AND WENT TO MOUNT ST. MICHAELFOR THREE YEARS AND ROOSEVELT SUMMER SCHOOL ALL THREE YEARS. LOVED FORDHAM AREA...EARLIER WAS BORN & RAISED IN HIGHBRIDGE SPENT A FEW YEARS ON NELSON JOST OFF FEATHERBED LANE

Guest

18-May-2012 23:08

I also remember the beautiful stars in the ceiling and the huge long drapes....

Guest

20-Jan-2012 20:34

Btw, The Paradise Theater was closed for years and then they reopened again a few years ago.

Guest

20-Jan-2012 20:30

I went there last year to see an O'Jay's concert with my mother.

Guest

29-Dec-2011 20:43

William Howard Taft class of 1964 had its graduation at The Loews theater.

MANUEL LAGE

18-Dec-2011 00:12

WOW!!!! WHAT CAN I SAY GOD IS GOOD .......THANK GOD IT DIN'T BURN DOWN LIKE MOST OF THE BRONX DID.EVERY WEEK WE WOULD GO THERE FOR A MOVIE.

Guest

25-Nov-2011 17:05

I've alway thought about this theater. I would say, "Whenever I go to NYC, I want to go to the theater" Finally went to nyc. But off course if it's possible that someone takes you there" Was driven pass LP...I was sad. It didn't look like it did when I was young. Loved the inside, it was heaven. You would go there to see a movie. One would stare at the sky and surroundings. I hope it's wasen't turned into a Multiplex like Victor G. said. Found this site by just clicking on links. Haven't had my breakfast yet or taken my dog out, Why you ask? Just traveling throught the bronx. My country. LOL

Warren Winthrop

17-Oct-2011 19:07

My father help build it, he put in the Twinkle lights in the ceiling. I remember everything about the Bronx. It was Heaven Would love to hear from someone from there I will Be there first week of Nov. and plan to see all the great places of my childhood. I went to P.S. 64class of 1953 and then went to Joseph Howard Wade 117, Then my parents moved us to Queens ( excuse me while I through up) I now live in S. F. Calif.Where I met my wife, turns out to be from the Bronx, and a gorgeous Puerto Ricon maiden name Was Lopez
Bronx girl, Puerto Ricon, Lopez now u know how she looks,and was miss Palm Spings 1965
I guess I'm very proud.

Laurie Novak

13-Oct-2011 15:54

My Junior High Graduation (Jordan L Mott) was here. I remember it as a beautiful theater before it was chopped up to have four screens in one movie house. JHS 22 graduation on 6/73 and the original Hawaii Five O show was our theme song.

Guest

11-Aug-2011 04:40

the kent is now a discount value store. i think they should restore the loews back into the neighborhood theatre so that the community
can have a place to see a movie instead of having to travel to the other side of the bronx to catch a flick

i went with my sister to see gone with the wind in 1970 at the surry on mt. eden

Guest

03-May-2011 22:51

I also went to the Lowe's and the Kent. My uncle was manager of the Paradise Theater in the 50's and 1960's I think.

Steven Blaustein

01-May-2011 19:11

@ Richard: Do you have a sister Andrea?

Richard Hirschhorn

08-Mar-2011 13:00

I was the youngest usher to work the Paradise....

Guest

02-Jan-2011 21:17

I just looked up the Surrey Theater, it was at 66 Mt Eden ave. Between Walton and Townsend. I saw the 10 Commandments there and the Sound of Music. As well as many Sat mantinees. What a great time. Going to the Paradise was a real treat.

Guest

23-Nov-2010 07:19

omg i grew up in the 70s & my family & i loved to go there! wow!!!

MARTIN SHENKMAN

24-Mar-2010 08:58

I REMEMBER WALKING FROM ELLIOT PLACE TO THE PARADISE THEN TO JAHNS FOR A KITCHEN SINK BOY DID I THINK THAT WAS A LOT OF ICE CREAM THEN WALK HOME WHEN THE D TRAIN WAS ONLY 15 CENTS AND NOW I DO NOT IF IT IS MORE THEN 2 BLOCKS

Guest

17-Mar-2010 00:44

Linda Z. Melllion

Wade graduation held here...saw many movies here too!!!

Mike Z

11-Feb-2010 18:47

The Surry I believe was on Tremont off of Jerome Avenue...I also grew up in the Bronx(1970's). I have been gone for about 7yrs. now, but my heart will alway be there...LOVE THE PICTURES(MEMORIES)

Guest

04-Feb-2010 03:15

The Surry was on Mount Eden Ave. I remember riding my bike at around the age of 9-10 from Walton Ave and Mt.Eden to Alexanders on Fordham. Past the Paradise. Krums was on the otherside of the Concourse. If my mother had know what she would have done to me.
_-S-

Judy Ringel Goldstein

14-Apr-2009 03:55

Hi,
I graduated from Taft H.S. in 1961 from the Paradise. I was recently in the Bronx at the Bronx Museum where they are having an exhibit of the Grand Concourse to coincide with it's 100th anniversary in November. A must see for the all Bronxites. However, the Paradise is once again closed. I hope they will be able to see the value in re-opening it again. A trip up the Concourse was a bit depressing as my beloved Roosevelt Gardens was gated and some of it's original alleyways where I played and hid out were blocked off. I lived there for 21 years and moved to Forest Hills for a couple of years before I married. I still get together with several of my old friends on a pretty regular basis. Nothing beats growing up in "da Bronx".

Walter K

28-Jan-2009 23:56

I graduated from Wade 117 in June, 1955 and our graduation was also held at DeWitt Clinton High School. I still have the program. In 2003, some friends and I returned to the Bronx for a walk through our old neighborhoods and the Paradise Theatre was being restored.

Guest

11-Jan-2009 03:20

The Paradise Theater is still alive and they have various concerts, events there... I don't know much more. Our Taft High School graduation was here and for P.S. 117 Wade the graduation was at Dewitt Clinton High School.

Victor G.

22-Nov-2008 20:37

My high school graduation was held at the Paradise in 1962. Remember to starry ceiling? I wonder if it's still there, or have they ruined it by making this a multiplex?

Regarding the prior post, the Luxor was on 170th, just off the Concourse, not on Mt. Eden. The Luxor, Kent and Loews 167th Street were the theaters I went to as a kid.

sonya

30-Mar-2008 17:51

hello, your picture are incredible. I grew up in the bronx right in this area. from 167th street to kingsbridge road, from southern blvd to the grand concourse. I remember when there was the kent on a 167th and the luxsor on mount eden. The on capri on valentine ave. I have great memories and i'd like to thank you for stirring them up. Your pictures are timeless for me and my family.

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